Vehicle lift



Aug. 8, 1967 A. DAYSON 3,334,705

VEHICLE LIFT Filed April 7, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ARTHUR DAYSON BY m, 4pm;

ATTORNEYS A. DAYSON VEHICLE LIFT Aug. 8, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 7'. 1966 FIGZ" INVENTOR ARTHUR DAYSON ATTQR EYS Aug. 8, 1967 A. DAYSON 3,334,706

VEHICLE LIFT I Filed April '7, 1966 3 Sheets-$heet 2 lNVEN TOR ARTHUR DAYSON p m f v ATTOR NEYS United States Patent 3,334,706 VEHICLE LIFT Arthur Dayson, Parma, Ohio, assignor to Curtis Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Missouri Filed Apr. 7, 1966, Ser. No. 540,934 13 Claims. (Cl. 1878.41)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The vehicle lift 'mechanism comprises a lift frame adapted to engage and support a vehicle on the latters underside, with the lift frame attached to a power unit which includes a vertically reciprocal fluid actuated cylinder and piston motor unit, for moving the frame vertically with respect to floor level. A chamber is disposed below floor level receiving the reciprocable motor unit therein, and adapted for receiving therein the lift frame, so that the lift frame can be disposed as close as possible or just slightly below floor level, and thus a vehicle can be readily positioned over the lift frame. A liquid exhausting 0r siphoning means is provided in the chamber for exhausting any liquid therein upwardly from the chamber and directing such waste liquid to a higher level drain. Fluid transmission lines are provided extending from the power unit to the liquid siphoning means so that the exhaust of pressurized air from the power unit is directed to the liquid siphoning means to thus actuate the latter, whereby the liquid siphoning means will be automatically actuated to siphon waste liquid from the chamber upon exhausting of pressurized air from the power unit to lower the lift frame.

This invention relates in general to lift mechanism for moving a load vertically from an underlying surface, and more particularly to lift mechanism as utilized for instance in garages, gas stations and the like, for lifting a vehicle off the floor, to provide for working on the underside of the vehicle.

Such vehicle lift mechanism may comprise a lift frame including spaced arm sections which are adapted to engage and support the vehicle on its underside, and a yoke connecting the arm sections, with the frame being attached to a vertically movable fluid actuated cylinder and piston power unit. Upon extension of the piston of the power unit, the lift frame is moved vertically upwardly and thus moves the vehicle from the floor and supports it in elevated condition.

The piston of the power unit is usually disposed almost entirely below floor level in the retracted condition of the power unit, so that the lift frame can be as close as possible, or below the floor and thus the vehicle can be readily positioned over the lift frame. In this connection a pit or chamber may be provided in the floor, for receiving therein the power unit and sometimes also part or all of the lift frame. Such chamber oftentimes accumulates water and other waste liquids and materials therein, due to its orientation below floor level. Accumulation of such liquid in the chamber is generally detrimental to the piston and the fluid seals of the power unit, tending to cause rapid deterioration of the latter.

Sometimes such a lift chamber is adapted to have a gravity flow drain in the bottom thereof for draining waste liquid therefrom. However, in many locations due to the available sewer system, it is not practical to place a drain in the bottom of the chamber because many times the bottom of the chamber is located lower than the sewer system into which a drain can be conveniently connected. Moreover, installing a low level drain in existing installations of buildings is many times prohibitive from a cost standpoint due to the necessity of tearing up large sections of ice floor area in an attempt to connect a low level drain into an existing sewer system.

The present invention provides a novel means for exhausting water and other waste liquids from a lift pit or chamber, utilizing a flow of compressed air, and wherein such flow of compressed air is operable to lift the waste liquid from the lift chamber upwardly by suction to a position wherein it can be conveniently directed to a higher level drain, such as for instance a floor level drain. The invention also provides a novel construction of vehicle lift frame.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel lift mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel lift mechanism for vehicles which includes a fluid actuated reciprocal piston and cylinder type of power unit for moving the lift, and wherein the piston of the power unit is adapted for retraction into a lift chamber disposed generally below floor level, and wherein novel means is provided for exhausting any waste liquid upwardly from the chamber, which has accumulated in the chamber.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lift mechanism of the latter mentioned type wherein pressurized air exhausting from the power unit of the lift is utilized in conjunction with jet means for siphoning the liquid from the floor chamber upwardly for convenient disposal at a higher location.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel fluid actuated siphoning mechanism for exhausting liquid from a low level to a higher level.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fluid actuated siphoning mechanism for exhausting liquid from a low level in a vehicle lift chamber to a higher level, and which includes a jet nozzle disposed within an elongated tube so that upon passing of pressurized air through the jet nozzle into the tube, a suction is created in said tube which draws the liquid upwardly through the tube to a higher level drain.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a lift mechanism embodying the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational viewof the FIGURE 1 arrangement and showing in section the lift chamber into which the piston of the power unit which actuates the lift, and the yoke of the lift frame, are adapted to be retracted, and illustrating diagrammatically controls for actuating the power unit and the liquid siphoning means in the lift. chamber; the power unit system illustrated is known as a full hydraulic type, and the controls in FIG- URE 2 have been moved from the position shown in FIGURE 1 to one side of the lift mechanism in the interests of clearness of disclosure.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the lift mechanism illustrated in FIGURE 2 taken from the right-hand end thereof, and likewise showing the lift chamber in section, and illustrating the siphoning means for exhausting liquid from the bottom of the lift chamber upwardly to a floor level drain.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged generally perspective view of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 3 for exhausting liquid from the lift chamber utilizing pressurized air, and illust-rating the chamber enclosure in phantom lines and the screen for the siphoning device in dashed lines.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, partially broken top plan view of the screening means which maybe utilized in conjunction with the liquid siphoning means shown in FIG- URES 3 and 4, for screening out solid materials from the waste liquid in the lift chamber.

FIGURE 6 is an enlargedside elevational view of the pressurized air operated siphoning means for removing liquid from the :lift chamber.

FIGURE 7 is a reduced size diagrammatic illustration of a lift mechanism embodying the invention and utilizing what is known as a semi-hydraulic type power unit, and the controls for actuating the same.

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary generally perspective end view of another embodiment of siphoning mechanism in accordance with the invention.

Referring now again to the drawings and particularly to FIGURES 1 to 3 thereof, the lift 10 in the embodiment illustrated, may comprise a lift frame or platform 12 including arm portions 14, which are preferably pivoted, as at 16, for adjustment thereof, and a yoke portion 18 connecting the arm portions. Yoke portion 18 in the embodiment illustrated is of U-shaped configuration in elevation (FIGURE 3) and which may be secured as by means of bolts 20, to the upper end of a piston 22 of hydraulic power unit 24. Yoke 18 facilitates working on the underside of a vehicle when the lift is supporting a vehicle in elevated condition.

Power unit 24 may be of conventional type, comprising a cylinder portion 26 which receives therein the piston portion 22 in telescoping relation for varying the height of the power unit, and thus elevating and lowering the lift frame 12 with respect to the fioor F. A telescoping safety leg 30 may be provided coacting between the yoke 18 and cylinder portion 26, and attached to the latter as at 30a and 3% respectively.

The yoke '18 of the lift frame and the piston portion 22 of the power unit are adapted to be received into a pit or chamber 32 opening downwardly into the floor F, in the retracted condition of the power unit. A polygonal shaped or box-like enclosure 34 which may be open at both the upper and lower ends thereof, and which may be formed of any suitable material such as metal, may be provided to define the chamber 32 in the floor F. Concrete or other suitable fill 36 may be poured around the box-like member 34 and may form the lower inner surface 38 thereof. In this connection surface 38 is preferably sloped toward one end of the box-like member 34, as best shown in FIG- URE 3, so that any liquid accumulating in the chamber will flow. toward said one end.

The upper end of the box-like member 34 may be suitably closed by pivotal doors 40 which may have rollers 42 adjacent the distal ends thereof, for rolling coaction with the yoke 18 and piston 22 in the reciprocal movement of the latter. It will be seen that upon lowering of the lift yoke 18 into the chamber 32, the doors 40 will swing shut to close the upper end of the chamber 32 intermediate the arms 14 of the lift frame.

The power unit 24 illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 is one known as a full hydraulic unit, and in this connection is provided with an oil tank 46 (FIGURE 2) which may be connected by means of piping or oil transmitting line 46a to a control valve 48. Valve 48 may be a conventional on-ofi type of valve and may be controlled manually as by means of control handle 4811. From valve 48 piping or oil transmitting line 50 may connect the valve 48 to the cylinder 26 of the power unit. Upon flow of pressurized oil from tank 46 through open valve 48 and into port 51 of the cylinder 26, the pressurized oil moves the piston 22 upwardly, and upon return flow of the hydraulic oil from the cylinder through piping 50,

open valve 48 and piping 4611 back to the tank 46, the lift frame 12 and attached piston 22 move downwardly.

In order to pressurize the oil inthe oil tank 46, there may be provided a source of compressed air 52 (FIG. 2) which may be connected as by means of a pipe or air transmitting line 53 to an air valves 54, which may be a conventional three-way valve so that in one position of the valve handle 54a of the air valve, the compressed air from the source 52, such as an air compressor, is directed through the air valve to piping or air transmitting line 56,

and then into the oil tank46, to pressurize the oil therein, and thus cause the oil to flow through the piping 46a,

valve 48 and piping to the cylinder of the power unit, to raise the frame as aforediscussed.

T0 release the air pressure in .the oil tank 46, the air valve handle 54a can be moved to another position, wherein the connection to line '53 to the compressor is closed and the pressurized air in the tank 46 exhausts through piping 56, air valve 54 and then through piping or air transmitting line 58 to liquid exhausting or siphoning means 60 for exhausting liquid from the pit or chamber 32.

Exhausting or siphoning mechanism 60 may comprise a downwardly tilted plate-like member 62 (FIGURE 4) which may be provided with downwardly turned flanges 620 on three sides thereof, for convenient attaching, as by means of spot welds 64, to the confronting sides of the box-like enclosure 34. The inner lengthwise edge of the plate member 62 may be provided with an upwardly turned lip or flange 66, which is adapted to receive in removable relation a screen member 68 for filtering out any large size solids in the liquid in the bottom of the lift chamber 32. One edge 68:: of the screen member 68 is adapted to be removably received underneath the lip 66 on the plate member 62 and the other lengthwise edge 68b is adapted to rest against the confronting side of the enclosure 34 and as illustrated in FIGURE 3.

The exhaust air line 58 from air valve 54 may be suitably coupled to a threaded coupling 70 (FIGURES 4 and 6) which may include a stem or nozzle 72 projecting upwardly from coupling 70 and above plate 62 and associated screen 68. The confronting side of the enclosure 34 may be provided with an elliptical shaped opening 74 therein, through which may extend a tubular member 76, which is of a greater diameter than the diameter of the stem 72.

Tubular member 76 is open at both its top and bottom thereof, and may be supported in spaced relation at its lower end, with respect to the plate 62, by means of a bracket 78 suitably attached to the tubular member and suitably secured to the coupling 70, as best shown in FIGURE 6. The top end of the tubular member 76 may be connected by a conduit 80, which may be of the flexible type, to a drain 82, which may be disposed at a higher elevation than the bottom surface 38 of the chamber 32.

' It will be noted that the lower open end of the tubular member 76 is adapted to be disposed beneath the screen 68, and as can be seen from FIG. 3.

Liquid oftentimes accumulates in the chamber 32' due to washing of the floor F, and other activities using liquid around the lift mechanism, such waste liquid flowing into the chamber 32 since the enclosure 34 is not watertight even When the lift is down and the doors 40 are closed.-

Accordingly, with the siphoning mechanism illustrated, each time pressurized air is released from the oil tank 46 to exhaust the air pressure therein and permit lowering of the lift, the exhaust air passing through conduit 58 and thence to siphoning device 60, will create a suction in tube 76 and will cause any liquid that may have accumulated in the bottom of the chamber 32 to be drawn upwardly through the open bottom of the tube 76 and out of the conduit 80 to a convenient drain 82. While conduit 80 has been illustrated in FIG. 3 as extending up to floor level, it will be understood that it could be tied into a drain, such as drain 82, below floor level.

The screen 68 encloses the tubular member 76 and in this connection may be provided with a slot 84 (FIG. 5) therein for convenient assembly of the screen about the tubular member 76. In assembling the screen into coaction with lip 66 on the plate member 62 it is preferable that edge 68a of the screen be inserted underneath the lip with the slot 84 therein aligned with the tubular member 76, and then the screen is moved downwardly until the edge 68b thereof engages the confronting side of the enclosure 34, so that filtering by the upwardly tilted screen is effective to prevent solid material from entering the siphoning mechanism. Screen 68 is sufficiently rigid so that it can support its own weight and the weight of any solids filtered out from the waste liquid, when in coacting relation with plate 62 and tube 76. It will be seen that the screen 68 can be periodically removed for cleaning, and merely by slipping the screen upwardly from beneath lip 66.

While the power unit 24 has been illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 as being of the full hydraulic type, it will be understood that a semi-hydraulic type power unit may also be utilized. As is well known by those skilled in the lift art, in the semi-hydraulic type of unit, the compressed air from a source of pressurized air is directed into the generally hollow piston of the power unit, with such hollow piston containing oil therein, and such pressurized air pushes down on the upper surface of the oil and forces it downwardly and into pressurized engagement with the exterior of the piston, to lift the piston and associated lift frame upwardly.

FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates such a semihydraulic arrangement. On movement of the air valve 54 to exhaust position, the air exhausting from the interior of the piston and out air transmission line 86 to the valve, and then through exhaust line 58, permits the piston to retract inwardly of the cylinder to lower the lift. The exhaust air passing through line 58 actuates the siphoning mechanism 60 in the same manner as aforedescribed in the first embodiment. A major difference between the semi-hydraulic and full hydraulic types of power units is that in the semi-hydraulic arrangement, there is no separate oil tank provided, and instead the pressurized air from the source as controlled by the air valve is inserted directly into a hollow piston of the power unit 24', rather than into a separate oil tank. However, if a semi-hydraulic unit is utilized, the air exhausting from the power unit will siphon liquid from the lift chamber 32 in the same manner as that when a full hydraulic power unit is used.

Referring now to FIGURE 8, there is shown a further modification of the invention and wherein the enclosure 34' has a strainer or filter 90 in one end wall thereof for filtering out any solid material from the liquid which gathers in the enclosure. The bottom surface of the enclosure 34' may be formed for instance by cement fill, and is preferably sloped toward the filter 90 in the same general manner as in the first described embodiment of the invention. Liquid passing through the filter 90 enters an auxiliary housing 92 which may be attached to the enclosure 34', and is moved upwardly by suction due to the flow of exhaust air through the jet stem 94 into the hollow tubular member 96 projecting upwardly from the housing 92. Tubular member 96 is open at both the upper and lower ends thereof, as shown, with the upper end thereof being adapted to be coupled as by means of a hose or flexible member 98 to a convenient drain for instance in the floor level.

The lower end of the tubular member 96 may be held in spaced relationship to the bottom wall 100 of the housing 92 by means of straps 102 secured thereto and to said bottom wall. It will be understood that the lower end of the stem 94 will be coupled to the exhaust line 58 for passing the exhaust air from the power unit through the siphoning means, to thus siphon out the liquid in the enclosure 34'.

From the foregoing discussion and accompanying drawings it will be seen that the invention provides a novel lift mechanism and one which may embody means for conveniently exhausting or siphoning liquid from a lift chamber upwardly to a more convenient location, and in a manner which utilizes Waste exhaust air of the power unit of the lift mechanism, thus resulting in a unit which costs nothing to operate so far as exhausting waste liquid from the lift chamber is concerned. The invention also provides a siphoning mechanism which is effective to filter out any solids in the liquid in the lift chamber and thus prevent clogging of the siphoning mechanism.

The terms and expressions which have been used are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of any of the features shown or described, or portions thereof, and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

1. In a vehicle lift mechanism including a lift frame and reciprocal power means for moving the frame vertically with respect to floor level, a chamber below floor level receiving said power means therein, means for exhausting liquid upwardly from said chamber, and means coacting between said power means and said liquid exhausting means for automatically actuating said exhausting means upon predetermined operation of said power means.

2. A lift mechanism in accordance with claim 1 whereing said power means is actuated by pressurized gas, said liquid exhausting means comprises an outer hollow elongated member, means in the last mentioned member for communicating the interior of the latter with said chamber, and means extending interiorly of said last mentioned member for applying pressurized gas thereto, said means for automatically actuating said liquid exhausting means comprising means for transmitting exhaust pressurized gas from said power means to said liquid exhausting means upon exhausting of pressurized gas from said power means.

3. A lift mechanism in accordance with claim 2 wherein said last mentioned member comprises a generally upwardly extending tube open at both ends thereof, means supporting said tube in upwardly spaced relation to the bottom surface of said chamber, whereby liquid in said chamber can enter the lower open end of said tube, said means for applying pressurized gas to said tube comprising a hollow stem spaced from theinterior of said tube and terminating above said lower open end of said tube, said stem being connected to said transmitting means.

4. A lift mechanism in accordance with claim 3 including filtering means coacting with said tube for screening out solids from the liquid in said chamber prior to entry of the liquid into said lower open end of said tube.

5. A lift mechanism in accordance with claim 2 wherein said chamber is defined by a box-like enclosure open at the top thereof, for movement therethrough of said reciprocal power means, said liquid exhausting means being disposed adjacent the bottom of said enclosure and extending upwardly therefrom, said enclosure having a bottom surface, means supported interiorly of said enclosure on side portions thereof, partially defining said bottom surface and supporting said liquid exhausting means, the remainder of said bottom surface being disposed at an elevation generally above the last mentioned means supported interiorly of said enclosure for causing liquid in said enclosure to drain toward said liquid exhausting means.

6. A lift mechanism in accordance with claim 5 wherein said last mentioned means comprises a plate-like member extending across said enclosure at one end thereof, said plate-like member being tilted downwardly in a direction toward the confronting end wall of said enclosure, means supporting said elongated member above said plate-like member with the lower end of said elongated member being open for communicating the latter with the interior of said enclosure and in generally close relation to said plate-like member.

7. A lift mechanism in accordance with claim 6 wherein said plate-like member includes means thereon for releasably holding filtering means, filtering means coacting with said means on said plate-like member and extending diagonally upwardly into engagement with said end wall, said filtering means 'having a slot therein receiving therethrough said elongated member, and said filtering means being disposed above said lower end of said elongated member.

8. A lift mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said exhaust means comprises an outer member communicating with said chamber adjacent the bottom extremity thereof and an inner member extending into said outer member and terminating therein, said power means being actuated by pressurized air from a source of pressurized air, control means for selectively controlling the application of pressurized air from the source to said power means and for controlling exhausting of pressurized air from said power means, said means for automatically actuating said exhausting means comprising; means for transmitting exhaust air from said power means to said inner member of said liquid exhausting means for actuating said liquid exhausting means, whereby said liquid exhausting means will be automatically actuated upon said exhausting of pressurized air from said power means.

9. In a vehicle lift mechanism including a lift frame and reciprocal power means for moving the frame vertical- 1y with respect to the floor level, a chamber below floor level receiving said power means therein, means for exhausting liquid upwardly from said chamber, said power means being actuated by pressurized gas such as air, from a source of pressurized gas, valve means for selectively controlling application of pressurized gas to said power means to elevate said lift frame and for controlling exhausting of pressurized gas from said power means to lower said lift frame, and means for transmitting exhaust pressurized gas from said power means to said liquid exhausting means for actuating the latter whereby said liquid exhausting means will be automatically actuated upon said exhausting of pressurized gas from said power means.

10. A liquid siphoning device adapted to be positioned in a vehicle lift chamber which chamber is adapted to house reciprocal power means for actuating the lift, said device comprising an enclosure adapted for positioning in the chamber to define the latter, said enclosure being open at the top thereof and having defining sidewalls, means extending transversely of said enclosure adjacent a sidewall thereof, an outer hollow member open at both ends and extending generally upwardly, a hollow stem member extending into the interior of said outer member and terminating above the lower open end of said outer member, means on said stem for connecting the latter to a source of pressurized air, and means supporting said outer member and said stem on said transversely extending means.

11. In a vehicle lift mechanism including a lift frame and reciprocal power means coupled to said frame for moving the latter vertically with respect to flood level, said power means and lift frame being adapted to be received in a floor chamber extending below floor level, said lift frame including a generally 'U-shaped in elevation yoke adapted to be received in the floor chamber in the retracted condition of said power means, generally horizontally extending vehicle engaging means supported by said yoke, said vehicle engaging means comprising arms pivoted to said yoke adjacent the upper portion thereof, for movement in a generally horizontal plane, means in said chamber for exhausting liquid upwardly from said chamber, and means coacting between said power means and said liquid exhausting means for automatically actuating said liquid exhausting means upon operation of said power means to lower said lift frame.

12. A liquid siphoning device in accordance with claim 10 wherein said outer member extends through said confronting sidewall of said enclosure.

13. A liquid siphoning device in accordance with claim 10 wherein said transversely extending means is disposed interiorly of said enclosure and is tilted downwardly in a direction toward the confronting sidewall of said enclosure, and means on said transversely extending means adapted for releasably holding filtering means thereon for filtering liquid prior to passage of the latter into said outer member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 318,185 5/1885 Haydn 103-276 519,618 5/ 1894 Power 103276 1,841,505 1/1932 Sweetland 103-263 2,654,443 10/1953 Thompson 1878.4l 3,036,662 5/1962 Pelouch 1878.75

FOREIGN PATENTS 755,405 8/ 1956 Great Britain.

EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner.

H. C. HORNSBY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A VEHICLE LIFT MECHANISM INCLUDING A LIFT FRAME AND RECIPROCAL POWER MEANS FOR MOVING THE FRAME VERTICALLY WITH RESPECT TO FLOOR LEVEL, A CHAMBER BELOW FLOOR LEVEL RECEIVING SAID POWER MEANS THEREIN, MEANS FOR EXHAUSTING LIQUID UPWARDLY FROM SAID CHAMBER, AND MEANS COACTING BETWEEN SAID POWER MEANS AND SAID LIQUID EXHAUSTING MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY ACTUATING SAID EXHAUSTING MEANS UPON PREDETERMINED OPERATION OF SAID POWER MEANS. 